1. Constitutional Convention
In Philadelphia, PA
September 17, 1787
Uncertain if the plan was to “revise” the Articles or “fix” the government

2. Constitutional Convention
12 of 13 states attended with the exception of Rhode Island
55 delegates
George Washington voted as President of Convention
James Madison was voted as Secretary, known as: “Father of the Constitution”

3. Constitutional Convention
Delegates vote to keep their debates secret
3 reasons:
Wanted all delegates to feel free to make suggestions
Didn’t want to alert America’s enemies that their might be dissension in the country
Didn’t want to scare American citizens that the convention was uncertain about which way to proceed

4. Plans and Compromises
Compromise- an agreement in which each side gives up part of what it wants

5. Representative Plans How should states be represented in the legislative branch
Virginia Plan
Congress to Consist of:
Two houses
First house elected by the people
Second house elected by the first house
Representation based on population
Favored large states
New Jersey Plan
Congress to Consist of:
One House
Each state to have same number of representatives
Favored small states

6. Great Compromise Establishment of Congress Two Houses (bicameral)
First house called the House of Representatives
Representatives elected by people for a two year term
Representation based on the population of a state
Second house called the Senate
Senators elected by state legislatures for a six year term
Each state to have two senators

7. Separation of Powers How should the government be divided?
Virginia Plan
Legislative branch to make laws
Chief Executive chosen by legislature to carry out the laws
Judicial branch chosen by the legislature to interpret the laws
New Jersey Plan
Legislative branch to make laws
Chief Executive chosen by legislature to carry out the laws
Judicial branch made up of one Supreme Court chosen by the executive branch to interpret the laws

8. Three Branches Compromise
Two house legislature called Congress
A Chief Executive known as the President to run the Executive branch
President elected by the electoral college
Judicial branch consisting of one Supreme Court, appointed by the President and approved by the Senate

9. Representation and Direct Taxes
How should slaves be counted in determining a state’s representation in the House of Representatives?
How should slaves be counted in determining the amount of direct taxes a state owed the federal government?

10. Representation and Direct Taxes
Northern Plan
Slaves not to be counted to determine representation in the House
Slaves to be counted when figuring direct taxes owed by a state
Southern Plan
Slaves to be counted to determine representation in the House
Slaves not to be counted when figuring direct taxes owed by a state

11. Three-Fifths Compromise
Slaves would be counted to determine representation in the House of Representatives
Slaves would be counted when figuring amount of direct taxes owed by a state
For every 5 slaves, 3 would be counted toward representation and direct taxes

12. Interstate and Foreign Commerce
What power should Congress have over trade between the states and foreign countries?

13. Interstate and Foreign Commerce
Western Position
No taxes should be placed on goods or products going from one state to another
Southern Position
No export taxes should be placed on goods or products going to another country
Slave trade should not be prohibited

14. Interstate and Foreign Commerce
Northern Position
States shall be free to buy and sell goods to and from other countries
Slave trade should be prohibited

15. Slave Trade Export Compromise
Congress should control interstate and foreign commerce by passing laws with a simple majority
All Treaties, including commercial ones, had to be ratified by a two-thirds vote of the Senate
No export taxes would be placed on products or goods going to another country
No laws would favor the ports of one state over another
The Slave trade could continue without interference from Congress for 20 years—until 1808
Congress could place a $10 tax on each slave brought into the country

16. Election of the President
Sherman/Dickinson/ Martin Plan
Congress should elect the President
People are not well enough informed and educated to choose this official
Wilson/Morris/Madison/Hamilton Plan
People should directly elect the President
Congress would too easily control the President if elected by that body

17. Electoral College Compromise
A group of people called the electoral college would elect the President and Vice-President
Electors would be chosen by state leaders and could hold no office in the government of the U.S.
Each state would have as many electors as they have senators and representatives in Congress

18. Electoral College Compromise
Electors would meet in December to choose the President and Vice-President
The person with the most votes would be President. The person with the second highest number would be vice-President
If no candidate received a majority of the electoral votes, the House of Representatives would elect the President
The President’s term would be for four years

19. Ratification Struggle
The Constitution would be submitted to the states for their approval after the government organized under the Articles of Confederation approved the measure
9 of the 13 states had to approve it for the Constitution to become legal

20. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Federalists favored a strong federal union and were led by Alexander Hamilton
Anti-Federalist believed the federal government should be stronger but this constitution gave it too much power!

21. Areas of Federalist/Anti- Federalist support

22. Federalist Papers Alexander Hamilton-63 essays James Madison-29 essays
John Jay-4 essays
Hamilton feared that a Bill of Rights could be dangerous and would only allow for rights that were listed
85 articles advocating the ratification of the Constitution
Most were written by Hamilton using the pen name “Publius” friend of the people

23. Anti-Federalists
Anti-Federalists were led by people like Patrick Henry
Sam Adams and John Hancock were also opposed
George Mason demanded a Bill of Rights if he was to support the Constitution. The Bill of Rights was finally added and is considered the final compromise of the Convention

24. Massachusetts
Massachusetts led the way in calling for a listing of rights that would be granted to all citizens
Several states asked specifically for these amendments when ratifying the Constitution
Others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that a bill of rights would soon follow.

25. Ratification of the Constitution
Date
State
Votes
Yes No 1
December 7, 1787
Delaware 30 2
December 12, 1787
Pennsylvania 46 23 3
December 18, 1787
New Jersey 38 4
January 2, 1788
Georgia 26 5
January 9, 1788
Connecticut
128 40 6
February 6, 1788
Massachusetts
187
168 7
April 28, 1788
Maryland 63 11 8
May 23, 1788
South Carolina
149 73 9
June 21, 1788
New Hampshire 57 47 10
June 25, 1788
Virginia 89 79
July 26, 1788
New York 27 12
November 21, 1789
North Carolina
194 77 13
May 29, 1790
Rhode Island 34 32

26. Bill of Rights Ratification
On November 20, 1789, New Jersey became the first state to ratify these amendments.
On December 15, 1791, 10 of these proposals became the First through Tenth Amendments — and United States law — when they were ratified by the Virginia legislature.